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December 2023 by EJ B
It was a good experience. The tour was fine. The house is beautiful and the history is interesting. Our guide struggled with facts, recalling information and giving the information in a sequence that could be followed; however, he incorporated history without whitewashing it completely. The tea was good. We were surprised there was not a choice of teas, as we were use to teas where you choose between a few. There was plenty of food - savory and sweet and quite a variety! Nothing special about the jams or butters. It was a nice experience.
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October 2023 by D C R E
We were here for a cross country meet. It was muddy.
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August 2023 by Safrina Yacoub
What a hidden gem! Our trip to Oatlands was wonderful. We showed up with 1 hour left until closing, which was enough time for us to check out the exterior of the mansion and enjoy the garden. We also had the pleasure of meeting Rita, who was so friendly and knowledgeable. She shared such valuable information about the estate and its history. Thank you for making our first visit so memorable, Rita. We look forward to returning in the fall!
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August 2023 by Anji Martin (Wedding Photographer)
Want a rural wedding venue that isn't far from the conveniences of DC? Then check out Oatlands Historic House & Gardens! You'll get all the beauty and gorgeous Northern Virginia landscape of a location in the middle of nowhere. But you'll be just a few miles from Leesburg, and your out-of-town guests will have a pretty short commute from Dulles Airport.Oatlands has a lot more to offer than convenience, though. Its gardens give you so many spots for beautiful wedding portraits. There are shady little nooks where you can cuddle up for romantic photos. There is a lovely pool that is ideal for creating trippier reflection pictures of you and your spouse-to-be. And there is a huge cherry blossom tree that gives your portraits that authentic and indelible "DC" feel in the spring. Perhaps the coolest feature, though, is the little gazebo and hedge-lined tunnel behind the main ceremony space. If your wedding timeline includes a first look, you won't find a more beautiful location anywhere in the DMV!Oh, and one more thing. The staff is absolutely first-rate! Friendly, helpful and accommodating!
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June 2023 by Karishma K
We went for the summer fun tea service for Father’s Day weekend and I do not recommend it. The grounds are beautiful, but my husband and I both got good poisoning and ended up spending the rest of the evening sick to our stomachs. Not to mention it’s $70 a person and they don’t even refill the sandwiches, etc. (although given our current condition, probably a blessing). That being said, the people were really nice, I just wish the food didn’t try to kill us.
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May 2023 by Abhiram Dwivedi
Beautiful gardens, with the most aromatic flowers!I have read that smells are associated with memories, and this is where I felt it. A rose that reminded me of my grandparents home.Beautiful scenery all around.
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May 2023 by Michael Valdivielso
A great little piece of Virginia and American history. The Plantation is spread out among many buildings but still a easy walk. Lots of trails if you like walking. Loved the garden.
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May 2023 by Virginia B.
This review is for the Mother's Day 2023 Tea. I had attended a tea at Oatlands a few years back and it was wonderful and I believed appropriately priced. It has changed significantly over the years and I do not recommend nor would I go back again. I have been to many high teas over the years, like at the Willard in DC and several places on vacation in New England and Savannah. While they are all a bit different, the food is always fresh, high end and elegant. This food was definitely shelf stable grocery store fare and not special at all. The cost is $70 per person and does not include admission to tour the mansion.Each table receives a tiered tray, very small portions, I think it was 3 tiers. The first tier is basic salad sandwiches on white bread, one triangle or rectangle of each (egg salad, tuna salad, chicken salad and I think there was a fourth that was spicy, may have been turkey). They most likely had them out uncovered for a while as the bread was starting to go stale. It was just okay. The second tier was a large scone (dry as a bone and a choke hazard but served with butter and jam), a sponge madeleine and a pound cake.The third tier was a 3in x 1in piece of chocolate cake with icing, some mocha/coffee type mousse thing the size of a quarter and a tiny cream puff, the pastry was store bought, not fresh.Each table had unlimited tea, only choice is their proprietary blend of black tea, which is fine.You could purchase a bottle of champagne and orange juice for an additional $20 or $25. I'm not sure if that was each person or for the table. I had already spent $70 per person for the food, so I was not willing to fork over anymore money since the food not that special.Wheelchair accessibility - while the carriage house is indeed wheelchair accessible (I emailed prior to buying my tea tickets to confirm), the gravel parking lot and walking area to the front doors of the carriage house make it almost impossible to get a wheelchair to the front doors. There is no flat area to wheel on. After I got to my car, someone said I could drive the car up to the door but I didn't see a way to do that. I had indicated in my order that we needed a table that could accommodate a wheelchair. The tables are rounds that hold 4 people and are folding tables, so half the table has bars so you can't be close to the table, you have to eat sort of at a distance. We were able to get the wheelchair to the side without the bars, but the other 2 people had to eat with the bars in front of their legs. Disappointing, but the lovely weather and nice drive helped.
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December 2022 by Cam Mcknight
Experienced the “Afternoon Tea at the Mansion” and it was delightful. My friend and I were served numerous sandwiches, pastries, and desserts while enjoying multiple types of tea. Service was great, of which a server was always around to help you with anything. The host of the event told some history of the Mansion and it was a cozy vibe; in employing some Christmas themes due to the time of year. Walking the grounds and gardens is always a pleasuring experience as well — highly recommend this establishment.
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July 2022 by K L Eagerton
Beautiful grounds and buildings. Helps to imagine life centuries ago. So many plantations that were once restored have not survived, but Oatlands has..
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July 2022 by Cory Laws
We were invited to a VIP reception by a friend on the Board of Directors. The day was perfect. We arrived right at 6pm and were directed to a great parking spot close to the entrance gate.We were greeted and given our badges, then grabbed drinks before browsing through the food displays. There was a string quartet playing, which seemed completely appropriate.Presentations were made on the history, with the gardens highlighted, along with an early case of "one upmanship" between the brothers over their respective homes.We toured the grounds, then the interior of an outbuilding and the main house. Things were rather well kept, without being overly restored. An enjoyable visit.
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June 2022 by Jennifer N.
It seems like it might be a fascinating tour, but I went on my own on a Thursday, and nobody was there--not a single soul. The architecture is beautiful and the property is well cared for, and there are some interesting self-guided exhibits. However, you had to buy your ticket online, and there wasn't anyone in the visitors center even though they claimed it was open until 5. It was like walking around in a ghost town. There weren't any docents to greet you, and there were no brochures offered. Honestly it was all a bit spooky, and I felt very stupid for driving all the way there.
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April 2022 by amani selim
The tour is very informative about the life and practices of the owners over the last 3 centuries. Exceptional knowledgeable guides. The mansion is not wheelchair accessible and there are no restrooms in the building. There are restrooms and a small gift shop in the carriage house that is within walking distance. Children under the age of 10 may find the mansion tour rather boring. The grounds are beautiful in fine weather.
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December 2021 by Vliza A.
Honestly I was gonna visit but we had a rainy day and I I purchased 4 tickets and because of the weather we didn't go so I emailed the place asking for a refund and no one ever reply to my email.
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October 2021 by John Teller
Paid the entry fee and walked around for a while. Never saw a single person. Would love to have known that house tours have to be scheduled 24 hours in advance... Beautiful place. Would have liked to at least seen some staff there.
